Harvard Girl Professional Editing Services
Making Words Work As Hard As You Do
Making Words Work As Hard As You Do
We make words work as hard as you do
Editing/Book Design
Call 541.329.0217 or email Heidi@harvardgirledits.com
Call 541.329.0217 or email Heidi@harvardgirledits.com
Harvard Girl Editing Services offers:
WHAT'S THE FINAL RESULT?
WHAT DO THE BEST EDITORS DO?
- Website and blog content editing
- Manuscript critiquing
- Copy-editing, proofreading, substantive rewriting
- Book cover design and interior book design
- Full self-publishing services (will work with your publisher...Lulu, IUniverse, Amazon's Createspace, etc. to create your finished publication)
Call or email me for your free estimate today.
!!!ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Jim Boyle, author and client, has great news about his books. Ni'il:The Awakening was just named a finalist in both the 2010 National Indie Excellence Book Awards and the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) for horror fiction. Ni'il: The War Within was also named a finalist in the 2010 "IPPY" awards, this time for Fantsy/Sci-Fi fiction. You go, Jim!!! You can purchase Jim's books at www.jamesboylewrites.com.
WHAT DO EDITORS DO?* * * *
!!!ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Jim Boyle, author and client, has great news about his books. Ni'il:The Awakening was just named a finalist in both the 2010 National Indie Excellence Book Awards and the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) for horror fiction. Ni'il: The War Within was also named a finalist in the 2010 "IPPY" awards, this time for Fantsy/Sci-Fi fiction. You go, Jim!!! You can purchase Jim's books at www.jamesboylewrites.com.
* * * *
- Editors do what "spellcheck", a friend, or a colleague cannot.
- Editors copy-edit. We read every line, word by word. We check punctuation, grammar, and spelling. We review sentence structure, continuity and repetition. We work carefully to remove unnecessary words that are extraneous to your meaning or bog down your style.
- Editors make lists, called style sheets, for recording preferred spellings, number usage, etc., so when words appear they have consistency--in other words, they appear the same way throughout your manuscript or document.
- Some editors (like me) serve in the capacity of writing coach to help you with substantive and/or developmental editing to achieve your ultimate writing goals.
"Heidi Connolly is a pleasure to work with. The scope of her
services is clear and concise, her editorial skills are marvelous, and
the transaction is professional. She did a stellar job cleaning up Dirklus, making me scratch my head at the work for which the previous editing
service had charged me. I will hire her again and recommend her as
a one-stop shop. Wewt!"
(Kevin Shorter, MFA Film / Television, http://www.dirklus.com, irreverent fantasy fiction, 2010)
(Kevin Shorter, MFA Film / Television, http://www.dirklus.com, irreverent fantasy fiction, 2010)
WHAT'S THE FINAL RESULT?
What makes editing so challenging and interesting for me is the time I spend to align your meaning with your actual words. This is what I love to do and what my clients say I do best!
Good editors step in to make sure your work accomplishes what it sets out to do. Your editor should work closely with you, your words, and your meaning to be absolutely certain that your message comes through loud and clear. Because a misplaced comma can alter the meaning or an entire sentence or an entire message. And if one sentence is confusing or convoluted, the next one by proximity becomes questionable too. And on it goes.
Whoever your reader is--your CEO, an eight-year-old, or a fiction lover--he or she is in the position of power and will decide to discard or read what you've written. So, how can you make sure you're conveying your message without ambiguity? How can you be objective after all the time and thought you've spent intimately involved with your project? To be honest, it's a tall order for anyone, even the most dedicated and seasoned writers.
Good editors step in to make sure your work accomplishes what it sets out to do. Your editor should work closely with you, your words, and your meaning to be absolutely certain that your message comes through loud and clear. Because a misplaced comma can alter the meaning or an entire sentence or an entire message. And if one sentence is confusing or convoluted, the next one by proximity becomes questionable too. And on it goes.
Whoever your reader is--your CEO, an eight-year-old, or a fiction lover--he or she is in the position of power and will decide to discard or read what you've written. So, how can you make sure you're conveying your message without ambiguity? How can you be objective after all the time and thought you've spent intimately involved with your project? To be honest, it's a tall order for anyone, even the most dedicated and seasoned writers.
"When asked by friends how it was to write a book, my comment is usually, 'It's very difficult, but you just can't do it without the help of a qualified editor.' Heidi helped me transform a potentially great book into a great book. She got the job done."
(Scott Paton, DC, MS, ATC, author of Health Beyond Medicine, 2009 [see below])
"The question remains: How could I successfully have completed Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies without the unerring, gentle, but rigorous eye of Heidi Connolly, editor extraordinaire? The answer may never be known. I highly recommend Heidi's brilliant editorial and writing skills for any project. Thank you, Heidi."
(Ani Kaspar, author of Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies, Puerto Rico, 2009 [see below])
(Scott Paton, DC, MS, ATC, author of Health Beyond Medicine, 2009 [see below])
"The question remains: How could I successfully have completed Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies without the unerring, gentle, but rigorous eye of Heidi Connolly, editor extraordinaire? The answer may never be known. I highly recommend Heidi's brilliant editorial and writing skills for any project. Thank you, Heidi."
(Ani Kaspar, author of Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies, Puerto Rico, 2009 [see below])
WHAT DO THE BEST EDITORS DO?
The very best editors help your personality shine! How will you know when your revised work really works? When the edited version causes you to think to yourself, "It all flows just the way I want it to--and it sounds just like me!"
"I would have been struggling with my manuscript still if Heidi had not agreed to critique it and then edit it for publication. Heidi encouraged me to go on with my work, and was frank and honest about the problems within. I found her patient, courteous, efficient and professional, and she did an excellent job on the cover and interior design also. Everyone needs an editor and I would highly recommend making contact with Heidi as early as possible in your project."
(Judge Laurence A. Cushing, author of Bittersweet Canyon, 2007)
The following are samples of some recent work I've done for my clients. Harvard Girl Editing provided a variety of services, including proofreading, writing, editing (line editing through developmental and substantive editing), manuscript critiquing, book cover design, interior book design, and self-publishing consulting.
Answer to Cancer is a new book by Dr. Douglas R. Levine of New Jersey.
Writing, Editing, Interior and Cover Design are by Harvard Girl. Publication July, 2010. You can view/ purchase this book at www.drdouglevine.com.
"If you can read only one book this year, it should be Capital Reflections, the new thriller by Dr. Jonathan Javitt." - Diana Furchtgott-Roth, The New York Post. "Javitt has written a grab-you-by-the-throat thriller that could easily be tomorrow's lead news story." - Janet Rehnquist, former Inspector General, US Dept of Health and Human Services. Edited by Heidi Connolly, Harvard Girl, 2007. For sale on Amazon.com.
"Heidi's professionalism and expertise steered my project from a dream to paper
and print reality."
(Charlotte Heatherly, for Saga of a French Dish, memoirs of Josette, 2010; to purchase copies of this book email Charlotte at charloth_vir@yahoo.com.
"I highly recommend Heidi as an editor. She showed great enthusiasm in taking on The League of Freaks and the Secret Key and went above and beyond my expectations. She is professional and reliable. I look forward to working with Heidi on the sequel!" - Alberto Hazan, M.D., 2010. Click here to view/purchase this book.
Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies: Conquering Cancer with a Life of Soul, by Ani Kaspar. Harvard Girl services provided: Level 2 copyediting, 2009. You can link to Ani's site to purchase her book here.
"Heidi Connolly captured the essence of an emotional, fictionalized memoir, exposing the true message of my life's story. Her talent and professional skill exceeded my expectations. Though her distance necessitated electronic communications, my voice, message, and soul appear in these pages as never before. The words indeed work harder than anything I could have imagined, and I am convinced that I have found an editor and publishing assistant for life!"
(Kris Courtney, author of Norma Jean's Sun (below), Ohio, 2010)
Click here to go to Kris' website and view/purchase his book.
Messages From The Light, Inspirational Guidance for Light Workers, Healers, and Spiritual Seekers, by Claudia Helt, 2008. Harvard Girl services provided: Editing, Book Design, Cover Design, Self-Publishing/consulting.
The Journey Within...A Personal Journal by Claudia Helt
(150-page journal with inspirational messages throughout)
"Working with Heidi has been an absolute delight. She is wonderfully patient and gentle in her approach, resulting in a joyful experience rather than an intimidating one.
I recommend her highly and have already
contracted a second project with her. She is the best!!"
(Claudia Helt, Author, www.centerforpeacefultransitions.com)
You can purchase Claudia's book on-line at www.centerforpeacefultransitions.com
Time of Triumph, Collection of Stories and Poems (English and Espanol) by Ronald P. Chavez, the renowned "Storyteller of old Route 66". Services by Harvard Girl: Editing, Book Cover Design, Interior Design, Self-Publishing liaison
with Amazon's Booksurge.
"I discovered Heidi through an article in the Taos News. I e-mailed her immediately and when I met her, I asked if she could edit and format my book Time Of Triumph for publication. When she answered, "That's exactly what I do," my heart jumped a beat. In less than a month the cover and text were ready for publication with Amazon's Booksurge. Not only is Heidi prompt, but her work ethic is friendly and highly professional. No writer could ask for a better editor or guide through the self-publishing maze. I couldn't be happier with the results." - Ron Chavez, author and poet, Taos, NM
Jofi: Star Seeker, Adventure fantasy for adolescents by Ellen Tisdel McKinsey. Services by Harvard Girl: Editing, Book Cover Design, Interior Design, Self-Publishing liaison with Amazon's Booksurge.
You can purchase this book at www.goodchoicebooks.com
"How do I describe Heidi? Efficient, smart, quick, faithful, patient, and a wizard with words. All I can say, Heidi, is that you've been a gem and without you this book would not have come to birth. I appreciate the way you give of yourself and encouraged me. You're a gem."
- Ellen Tisdel McKinsey, author, Crescent City, CA.
Health Beyond Medicine is by Scott Paton, chiropractor, Florida.
Services by Harvard Girl: Editing, Substantive Writing, Developmental Writing
You can purchase this book at www.healthbeyondmedicine.com
Running Alone In Photographs, by Robert Mirabal, Taos, NM, 2009.
E-Dating and Beyond is a new book by Elena and Anton Spektorov.
Editing, Interior and Cover Design by Harvard Girl. May, 2009. You can purchase this book at www.intimacypublishing.com.
MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUING
Whether you plan to self-publish or send your novel or nonfiction manuscript to commercial publishers, the process should always start with a good read by an objective professional. Though friends and family are a great place to start (and should not be undervalued), you really need a professional to thoroughly critique your complete work. I offer both "preliminary" and "comprehensive" evaluations for reasonable set fees to give you direct feedback of the type you need. Both types include an estimate of editing requirements and generate a report to help you with plot, pacing, hook, characterization, names, dialog, persona, and more. You will always get my honest opinion and answers to all your questions.
Remember: Writing is your love, but publishing is a business. Publishers and editing staffs toss poorly edited manuscripts. Make your work the best it can be--before you send it off or self-publish.
Remember: Writing is your love, but publishing is a business. Publishers and editing staffs toss poorly edited manuscripts. Make your work the best it can be--before you send it off or self-publish.
SELF-PUBLISHING/COVER DESIGN AND INTERIOR BOOK DESIGN
Book design starts with your manuscript and ends with a finished publication that's ready for the printer!
You've worked hard and your manuscript is edited and proofed to perfection. Now you're ready to watch it morph into a finished published book! If you don't know where to begin you're not alone, because being a writer does not necessarily a designer (or self-publishing consultant) make. I can help you figure out which publisher to work with, how to purchase an ISBN number, whether you need to register your copyright at the Library of Congress...basically all that you need to know. The big difference between me and a larger "self-publishing service" is that you get personalized service, someone who listens to your needs, and someone who includes you in every aspect of the decision-making process.
Self-publishing services include:
Self-publishing services include:
- Placing your document text into publishing software (Adobe InDesign) and creating a look that meets your specifications.
- Formatting your designed document according to your chosen publisher's specifications, uploading all documents, and working with publishing contacts to produce a hard proof of your book.
- Transforming your ideas into a hardcover or perfect-bound book cover, complete with your author-owned ISBN and barcode. If you would like to incorporate artwork onto your cover, we can do that too. If you don't know what you want, don't worry--that's what I'm here for.
- Working closely through emails and phone conversations to ensure you get the results you want. No book is complete until you are satisfied.
- Have questions? I'm alway happy to take the time to explain the details. Please put your questions in an email and I'll respond as quickly as I can (heidi@harvardgirledits.com). Phone: 541.329.0217.